Tradition to get 2,800 markers to represent fallen service members

TRADITION — Thousands of hand-made, wooden markers adorned with metal dog tags will line the grounds of the Town of Tradition during Memorial Day weekend to pay homage to Florida residents who lost their lives in the fight for freedom from World War I to present day.

About 2,800 white crosses and stars of David will be erected adjacent to Tradition's Welcome Center, representing service men and women killed in the line of duty from 15 Florida counties, including Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Okeechobee.

The event, Operation Take Time to Honor, is a joint effort of Southeastern Military Academy in Port St. Lucie and The Road to Victory Military Museum in Stuart. Alan Weierman, president of the academy, who's heading the project, said he hopes visitors walk away with a greater appreciation of the ultimate sacrifice many have made.

"These people were just like us. Somewhere, there's a family that's missing them," Weierman said. "We want to recognize the ultimate sacrifice they've made for our freedom. Because of that sacrifice, we have Memorial Day."

Take Time to Honor began in 2007 at Veterans Memorial Park in Stuart and recognized 224 service members from the Treasure Coast and Okeechobee and Palm Beach counties who died in World War II, Weierman said. After that, the memorial was expanded to cover deaths from conflicts from WWI to the present and more counties were added. Deaths from those conflicts include 36 from Indian River, 62 from St. Lucie, 20 from Martin, 15 from Okeechobee and 258 from Palm Beach, Weierman said.

The growing number of service members killed in action, as well as the addition of more counties, has forced the event into a larger venue, Weierman added.

Cadets from the academy, aided by a few volunteers, crafted the crosses and stars from scratch, a process that takes more than 1,800 hours from start to finish, Weierman said. Each dog tag, stamped with a service member's name, is also made by hand. A book, placed at the event's entrance will include each service member's name and marker location.

Weierman expects this year's event will carry an even greater meaning and sense of patriotism among guests.

"It's going to be much different this year. The mastermind who planned Sept. 11 is gone. Our troops did a bang-out job," Weierman said, referring to the death of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden at the hands of special forces. "America has stayed true to its course. It doesn't make up for Sept. 11, but Americans and the victims' families can now have some sort of closure."

TAKE TIME TO HONOR

What: Operation Take Time to Honor. The event recognizes Florida service men and women killed in action from World War I to present. This year the Memorial includes service members from: Volusia, Monroe, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, Okeechobee, Palm Beach, Brevard, Broward, Collier, Lee, Hendry, Charlotte, Glades and Miami-Dade counties.

Where: The grounds next to the Welcome Center for the Town of Tradition located at 10489 Southwest Meeting Street in Port St. Lucie.

When: Memorial Day weekend from 5 p.m. on May 27 to 3 p.m. on May 30. The grounds will be open to the public 24-hours a day, rain or shine.